Times Chronicle & Public Spirit
Raises spark war of words
Commissioners have heated exchange over salary increases
NORRISTOWN >> A special meeting to raise the salaries of top elected officials in Montgomery County started a war of words among county commissioners Thursday evening.
The special meeting followed a public hearing for the 2023 proposed budget. Early figures show the county faces an $18.6 million deficit and a proposed 8 percent property tax increase.
In his opening comments, Commissioner Joe Gale called for an adjournment of the meeting, which he characterized was being held “in a cloak of darkness.”
“Well, and let me say that it’s quite light in this room,” said Commissioners’ Vice Chairman Ken Lawrence Jr. “This meeting was properly advertised. This is not under the cloak of darkness so stop with the dramatics.”
Solicitor Josh Stein told commissioners that the “statute which governs the salaries of elected officials,” requires a separate meeting “between the hours of 6 p.m. and 9 p.m.” Still, Gale objected. “So the optics of this is terrible,” Gale said. “That may be the law, but I am absolutely against this. I don’t think it should go any further, and it takes one of you to simply second the motion and it’s done. Do what’s right and second the motion. Adjourn the meeting.”
“Commissioner Gale, I follow the state statutes and the state statutes require that we have to have this meeting at this time in this way as a separate meeting from our other county business. So we will proceed,” said Commissioners’ Chairwoman Val Arkoosh.
Salary increases were on the agenda for positions including the county commissioners, clerk of courts, controller, jury commissioners, prothonotary, recorder of deeds, register of wills/ clerk of the orphan’s court, sheriff, and treasurer.
Chief Financial Officer Dean Dortone said Thursday that these salaries fall under the county code by the General Salary Provision Act, and that county commissioners are permitted to “set annual salaries for all elected officials, except the district attorney.”
Any salary increase would need to be made “prior to (an) election year” as these particular proposed figures would take effect in 2024, Dortone said, noting that it’s been 14 years since the last salary increase.
Dortone outlined how the salary increases would apply to the following positions:
• Chairperson of the Board of Commissioners: the current $90,900 salary increasing to $101,800.
• Montgomery County Commissioners: the current $87,600 salary increasing to $98,200.
• Row officers, with the exception of the district attorney, jury commissioners, and register of wills: the current $79,200 salary increasing to $88,700.
• Register of wills and clerk of orphans court: the current $81,600 salary increasing to $91,400.
Dortone added that “jury commissioners are elected on a separate cycle and will be handled separately in 2024 for the 2025 election year.”
Gale and Lawrence sparred over the question of commissioners accepting a raise. When asked, Gale initially said he would “give it away to a charitable cause,” referring to a “prolife crisis pregnancy center that helps unborn babies and mothers.”
Lawrence repeatedly asked, “so you’ll accept it?”
“I’ll give it to them instead of having you two waste it on ridiculous outlandish projects,” Gale said.
“Mr. Gale, you could sign and not accept it,” Lawrence said.
“Don’t talk about signing things because you exclude my name over everything,” Gale said.
“You could sign — it would just be your name,” Lawrence said. “You could sign your own name like you sign plenty of things.”
“I don’t trust the two of you to manage our money,” Gale said. “We have three consecutive years of tax increases.”
The exchange continued on until Arkoosh jumped in.
“Commissioner Gale, you’re missing the point,” she said. “The question to you is if this does pass and if you are re-elected this won’t go into effect until 2024. Do not interrupt me. If you are re-elected and this goes into effect into 2024, do you intend to accept the salary increase?”
“Absolutely not. I will not take it,” Gale replied.
Arkoosh later moved to authorize the aforementioned proposed salary increases, which Lawrence seconded. When asked for any commissioner comments, Gale spoke up.
“Yeah I think it’s a bunch of ******* and I think it’s absolutely wrong, and it is insulting to the general public,” Gale said. “Absolutely insulting that this is even being considered. Three consecutive tax increases and the fact that this is being considered is outrageous. That’s my comment.”
“And my comment is the Oscar goes to Commissioner Gale for self-righteous indignation,” Lawrence replied. “You’re acting like you’re shocked that this was happening.”
“Yeah, I am shocked,” Gale said.
“You’re shocked?” Lawrence asked.
“Yeah,” Gale said. “Use your indoor voice,” Lawrence said.
“I am absolutely shocked,” Gale said.
“Oh, outdoor voice again,” Lawrence said. “Yes,” Gale said.
“Is there any public comment?” Arkoosh asked.
During the public comment portion of the special meeting, several row officers applauded the proposed increases.
“We feel that approval of this resolution would be consistent with the work you are doing to maintain and obtain the best people in these positions to best serve the people who live and work in Montgomery County,” said Controller Karen Sanchez. “We feel and hope you agree that this is the right thing to do and now is the right time to do it.”
Pottstown resident Jeanette Clifton expressed a differing opinion.
“You guys are expecting the little people to pay all of your bills, and everything while we suffer and I don’t agree with that,” she said. “Please, if you’re going to increase it — don’t have it be so huge because you’re taking money away from the common people.
“How are we supposed to put food on the table? How are we supposed to pay our bills? Because we’re paying your bills,” she continued. “You’re supposed to be working for us. Not the other way around.”
The increases ultimately passed in a 2-1 roll call vote with Gale as the sole opponent.